Humboldt University of Berlin is a public research university in Germany. The university does not publish an official acceptance rate; however, as per third-party sources, it is estimated to be around 20–30%. The university follows a dual-semester system with Winter and Summer intakes. The winter semester is considered to be the main intake in the university.
Most bachelor’s and consecutive master’s programs have no tuition fees, and students are only required to pay a semester contribution of €355 (₹38,389) per semester.
Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Deadlines 2026:
- Winter Semester 2026: 1 June – 31 August 2026
- Summer Semester 2027 (tentative): 15 December 2026 – 28 February 2027*
Applicants must apply through uni-assist, with an application fee of €75 (₹8,112) for the first course and €30 (₹3,245) for each additional course.
Admissions at Humboldt University of Berlin are program-specific and requirement-based, with each application evaluated individually. For admission, Indian students are generally expected to have strong academic performance (around 65–70%+ recommended), along with required documents such as academic transcripts, CV, passport copy, and an APS certificate. Additionally, most bachelor’s programs require German language proficiency at the C1 level, and Class 12 alone is usually not sufficient for direct admission, often requiring a Studienkolleg (foundation course) or an equivalent qualification.
Current Admission Scenario at Humboldt University of Berlin: Applications for the Winter Semester (bachelor’s and master’s programs) are currently open, with the deadline set for 31 August 2026.
Note: As of 9 April 2026, 1 EUR = ₹108.30 INR is used throughout the article for currency conversion.
Also check: Germany study guide for Indian students
- Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Deadlines 2026
- Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Decision
- Humboldt University of Berlin Popular Courses and Eligibility
- Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Requirements for Indian Students
4.1 FAQs
- Humboldt University of Berlin Language Requirements for Indian Students
- Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Process for Indian Students
- Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate
- FAQs
Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Deadlines 2026
HU Berlin operates on a dual‑semester system - two main intakes each academic year:
- Winter Semester (Lectures run from October to February each year)
- Summer Semester (Lectures run from April to July)
Note: In Germany, the winter semester is generally considered the main intake, with the larger range of programs available (especially in bachelor’s and master’s). The summer semester is available for some fields.
Key point: For international students, it’s best to submit the application as early as possible, ideally in the first week of June 2026, so you have enough time for the visa and travel.
| Semester | Admission Type | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2026/27 | Restricted (competitive) | 1 June – 15 July 2026 (for UG) |
| 18 May – 14 June 2026 (for PG) | ||
| Open (non-restricted) | 1 June – 31 August 2026 (both) | |
| Summer 2027 | Restricted (competitive) | 15 December 2026 – 15 Jan 2027* |
| Open (non-restricted) | 15 December 2026 – 28 Feb 2027* |
Note: The official summer 2027 dates have not been published yet. Summer semester 2027 deadlines are projected based on past patterns; final confirmation is on HU Berlin’s official website.
Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Decision
At Humboldt University of Berlin, there is no fixed official single result date for all applicants. After applications are submitted, they are first checked by uni-assist for formal eligibility and document verification, and then forwarded to the university.
Once received by HU Berlin, each application is reviewed individually by the relevant faculty, and admission decisions are released gradually over the admission period.
- Applicants can track their application status by:
- First on the uni-assist portal during the verification stage
- Later on, the Humboldt University application portal will be where the final admission decision (offer or rejection) is published.
Check out: Student visa requirements for Indian students to study in Germany
Humboldt University of Berlin Popular Courses and Eligibility
Humboldt University of Berlin offers over 160 programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The popular courses include MS Psychology, MS Economics, and BS Computer Science.
- At Humboldt University of Berlin, bachelor’s programs last 6 semesters (3 years), while master’s programs take 4 semesters (2 years).
- Following the German public university model, Humboldt University of Berlin charges no tuition fees for most bachelor’s and consecutive master’s programs, but requires a *semester contribution fee (€355 | ₹38,389).
| Program | Course Duration | Eligibility for Indian Students |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Psychology | 2 years | You need a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or equivalent + proof of specific psychology knowledge. |
| MSc Economics | 2 years | A good knowledge of methods like econometrics is needed |
| MSc Agricultural Economics | 2 years | You need a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, or economics. |
| MSc Computational Neuroscience | 2 years | A relevant Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences or engineering is required. |
| Master's in Mathematics | 2 years | You need a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics or a closely related field with sufficient subject knowledge. |
| BSc Business Administration | 3 years | You need a valid Higher Secondary School Certificate (12th standard) that qualifies for German university entrance. |
| BS Computer Science | 3 years | Need 12th standard certificate (HZB) + German at C1 level + basic knowledge of programming and mathematics. |
| BS Biology | 3 years | Need 12th standard certificate (HZB) + German at C1 level; biology knowledge is checked. |
| BS Physics | 3 years | Need 12th standard certificate (HZB) + German at C1 level. |
| BS Psychology | 3 years | Need 12th standard certificate (HZB) + German at C1 level; must take the official Psychology Aptitude Test. |
Semester Contribution: Mandatory charges paid each semester to cover administrative services, student support, and public transport access.
Note: Some specialised or non-consecutive programs, such as executive or certain international master’s (e.g., LL.M.), may charge higher tuition fees.
Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Requirements for Indian Students
For Indian students, Class 12 alone is usually not enough for direct admission to Humboldt University of Berlin. This is because Germany requires an Abitur-equivalent qualification, which the Indian 12th certificate does not fully meet.
An Abitur-equivalent qualification means a school-leaving certificate that is considered equal to the German Abitur. It is proof that a student has completed a level of education similar to German high school (13 years), which makes them eligible for university admission in Germany.
- The university does not publish an official fixed percentage requirement for UG or PG on the Humboldt University site. They use qualification equivalence and grade conversion instead.
- Your academic record is assessed against German standards via uni‑assist and the university’s evaluation.
| Particulars | Bachelor’s Requirements | Master’s Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Application Portal | Uni-assist (same for both) | |
| Application Fee | €75 | ₹8,112 (first course) + €30 | ₹3,245 (each additional course) | |
| Academic Requirement (recommended) |
65–70% or higher in the 12th board exams improves the chances of being assessed as equivalent to the German Abitur. | Strong academic performance in the degree is recommended, typically 60–70% or higher, depending on the program. |
| Documents Required |
-Higher Education Entrance Qualification (HZB) |
-Bachelor’s degree certificate |
APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate: APS is a document verification service that confirms your Indian qualifications are valid for study in Germany. It is mandatory for a German student visa.
FAQs
Ques: Why is Studienkolleg required for Indian students?
Ans: It is required based on qualification equivalence, not marks. Even if you score 80% in Class 12, the Indian Class 12 certificate is usually not considered fully equivalent to the German Abitur.
So, in most cases, all Indian students applying for a Bachelor’s program in Germany must go through Studienkolleg, unless they have a higher qualification that is already considered equivalent (like an IB Diploma, or certain state boards that meet the Abitur equivalence). Marks only matter after you complete Studienkolleg, because your performance there affects admission to the Bachelor’s program.
Ques: What is Studienkolleg?
Ans: Studienkolleg is a one-year preparatory course in Germany for students whose 12th-grade certificate is not equivalent to the German Abitur. It prepares international students for Bachelor’s studies by focusing on subject-specific knowledge, German language, and academic skills. After completing the course, students must pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) to qualify for undergraduate admission. For Master’s programs, Studienkolleg is not required, as a completed Bachelor’s degree is sufficient.
Humboldt University of Berlin Language Requirements for Indian Students
All Bachelor’s and some master’s programs at Humboldt University of Berlin are taught in German, so English tests like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE are not accepted for admission.
International students must provide proof of German language proficiency (usually C1 level), through certificates such as:
- Goethe-Zertifikat C1
- TestDaF (minimum TDN 3 in all sections)
- DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
Apart from German language requirements, some master’s courses at the university require English proficiency scores for admission. Check out the table mentioned below:
| English Test / Certificate | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 |
| Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) | Accepted |
Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate
Humboldt University of Berlin does not publish its official acceptance rate. However, as per the third-party sources, the acceptance rate of the university is estimated to be 20 - 30%. Admissions are conducted on a program-specific, requirement-based system. Decisions depend on factors such as academic qualifications, subject requirements, and seat availability. As a result, the level of competitiveness varies across courses rather than being represented by a single overall acceptance percentage.
Explore: Scholarships for Indian students to study in Germany
Admission to Humboldt University of Berlin is based on a requirement-driven system rather than a fixed acceptance rate, which means there is no single benchmark for selection. Each application is evaluated individually, and outcomes depend on academic background, subject relevance, and eligibility criteria.
For Indian students, additional steps such as APS certification, qualification equivalence (HZB), and, in many cases, Studienkolleg for bachelor’s programs are important parts of the process. Language requirements, especially German at the C1 level for most undergraduate programs, also play a key role in admission.
Overall, understanding the structure of the German admission system, meeting the required criteria, and applying within the given deadlines are essential for successfully navigating the admission process at HU Berlin.
Also read: 2026 global and subject-wise rankings of Humboldt University of Berlin
FAQs
Ques: What is HZB, and why is it important for admission at Humboldt University of Berlin?
Ans: HZB means "Higher Education Entrance Qualification" or "University Entrance Qualification" in Germany. It is the certificate or combination of qualifications that proves you are eligible to study at a German university (like Humboldt University of Berlin).
Ques: What is Feststellungsprüfung (FSP)?
Ans: The Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) is the final exam at the end of Studienkolleg. It tests whether you have the subject knowledge, language skills, and academic readiness needed to start a Bachelor’s degree in Germany. Passing the FSP is mandatory for international students who attended Studienkolleg, as it officially qualifies you for undergraduate admission. The exam is specific to the Studienkolleg track you chose (e.g., T-Kurs, M-Kurs, W-Kurs, or G-Kurs).
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- Working environment and the independence to work is the main advantage of the university. In addition, Humboldt has 56 and counting Noble prizes to its credit, which shows the quality of research.
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When looking for a PhD position, I looked for the research group with similar interests, its quality and reputation (publications), scientific standing of supervisor in the community, etc. The aspect of university was by a happenstance.
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I had no scholarship, but my research was sponsored by Helmholtz Research Center Berlin, where my supervisor used to conduct his research work. My yearly salary was ~25000?/year (Gross).
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For admission to a Master's program at Humboldt-University, Berlin, you need a bachelor's degree with at least 180 ECTS credits. Language requirements vary by program; check the specific admission regulations. Typically, a German language certificate or IELTS might be required, depending on the course.
You need the support of a Humboldt University of Berlin professor to act as your PhD supervisor. It is important that you find a suitable professor of your interest in which you want to do a PhD. If the professor is interested to supervise you, he or she will mail you.